Grayson Perry Difficult Background, 2001

Grayson Perry, Difficult Background, 2001

Grayson Perry had a difficult childhood with an abusive stepfather, and used art to create imaginary fantasy worlds into which he would escape with his teddy bear Alan Measles. He realised he was a transvestite during his teens. His alter ego Claire often appears in his work and he frequently cross-dresses as Claire to make public appearances, most notably when collecting his Turner Prize in 2003. He lives in London with his wife and daughter.

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